'Redknapp would love to bring in Defoe, Keane or Crouch - but he needs to clear the deadwood first' - QPR's strategy for the January transfer window

Join us as Standard Sport’s Simon Johnson brings you all the goings on from Loftus Road ahead of the January transfer window.

Harry Redknapp's Queens Park Rangers will find themselves two points off the relegation zone in 15th place come the opening of the January transfer window.

Having unsuccessfully battled for top flight safety two seasons before, Redknapp looked to add more character and fighting spirit to the ranks in a bid to secure promotion back to English football's top table.

QPR's potential 'ins and outs' during the January transfer window

QPR's potential 'ins and outs' during the January transfer window

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IN: Robbie Keane

Now that Harry Redknapp has confirmed he can only bring loan signings into Loftus Road, Robbie Keane, rather than Jermain Defoe, looks the most likely to move over from the MLS.
Keane would be available during the off season at LA Galaxy until early March and would surely love to be reunited with his former manager at Tottenham.
The 34-year-old has been in fine form in the US and his experience will be a huge asset in the dressing room.

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IN: Andros Townsend

Has suffered a mighty fall from grace since being centre stage when helping England qualify for the World Cup last year.
Townsend has barely featured for Spurs under Mauricio Pochettino and while he loves life at White Hart Lane, the winger needs to play.
Redknapp offered him a similar lifeline for the second half of the 2012-13 campaign and sees Townsend's pace on the flanks as giving QPR's attack something different.

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IN: Tomas Kalas

There are a shortage of options to choose from to play at centre half and could be made even worse if Rio Ferdinand retires.
Steven Caulker and Richard Dunne have been playing most of the games, with Nedum Onuoha providing the only other back-up, with veteran Clint Hill ignored.
QPR have made an enquiry for Chelsea defender Kalas, who is coming back from a loan at FC Koln early because of a lack of game-time.
Another target is Porto centre half Rolando. While the £1m asking price is cheap, it may still scare off the west London club.

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IN: Ravel Morrison

Redknapp has already confirmed he will consider giving the England Under-21 international another chance to rescue his career.
Morrison is back at West Ham after Cardiff cancelled his loan a fortnight early, but is not wanted at Upton Park either.
Redknapp got the best out of him earlier this year when he scored six goals in QPR's successful promotion campaign from the Championship.

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IN: Scott Sinclair

Another under-performing winger who is struggling to make any impression on the top flight.
Sinclair has become a forgotten man of English football since leaving Swansea for Manchester City in 2012.
Sinclair would provide QPR's attack pace on the flanks should he arrive on loan and he will know Loftus Road well having played briefly there in 2007.

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OUT: Adel Taarabt

A permanent parting of the ways is the most sensible for all concerned. Taarabt needs to move on for the good of his career, while Rangers need to get his £65,000-a-week wages off the pay-roll.
The Moroccan international has already admitted he is prepared to take a cut in salary to secure a dream move to AC Milan, where he spent the second half of last season on loan.
QPR need to be realistic about the asking price too for a player who has barely featured for them for the past 18 months.

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OUT: Shaun Wright-Phillips

His contract runs out next summer, but Rangers will invite offers for the former Chelsea winger to try and secure an early release.
Wright-Phillips has been a major disappointment at Loftus Road and yet is still being paid £60,000-a-week.
A move to the MLS looks the most likely, which is where brother Bradley has forged a name for himself playing for New York Red Bulls.

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OUT: Junior Hoilett

One way Redknapp can raise funds to make permanent transfers is to sell fringe players like Hoilett.
Has remained a bit-part member of the squad since joining from Blackburn for £4m in 2012 as his 43 League starts shows.
There is interest from a number of clubs including Everton, Sunderland, West Ham, Southampton, Leicester and Swansea.

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He succeeded, but a summer of further reshaping has seen his side struggle - particularly in defence - with veteran Rio Ferdinand failing to offer the level assurance to the backline that his manager had hoped for.

So where does Redknapp need to strengthen in January?

In the fifth instalment of our festive video series, Standard Sport’s Simon Johnson brings you the lowdown on how Redknapp and QPR will tackle the January transfer window.